Posts filed under ‘Travelogue’

Of the many poetic dreams, scientific advances and adventurous pursuits – probably the most fascinating aspiration of all is the wish to fly. From AS Hodson’s poetic fable To Fly Like a Bird to the years of ordeal for Wright Brothers – the desire to fly continues to be an exciting endeavor to defy physical bounds and soar closer to the skies.

So there… within my own limited capacity, I didn’t set out to write a poem but used the gift from Wright brothers and took wings to the first ever experience of flying an airplane.

Had not only flown in childhood but also had built some airplanes! All in paper as it were… couldn’t really pilot one. Cut to the airfields of RDU airport…

I took air in Cessna SkyHawk – a sober and humble single propeller, 4 seater aircraft. When the instructor said “I am your co-pilot”, the ever lingering dream of being a Pilot came face to face and smiled. You can mostly tell when your dream smiles at you! On a side note, you can almost always tell when the contrary happens.

The 40 minutes of independent flying over downtown and suburbs of Raleigh were a lesson for precision, possibilities and unmatched thrill.

With wind beneath the wings and clouds gracefully accepting the company, the lush green meadows and lakes of North Carolina revealed the beautiful design of nature like never before. So unlike the sky-diving impulse; this time I stayed on board the plane.

Every once in a while, you need a new dream to redefine challenge – Rajneesh Patil

It is exhilarating to be in a space where the rawness of nature is untouched and the spirit of life immaculate. Dublin in Ireland is an effervescent example. Placed about 13 hours from Bangalore if flying via London, Dublin is a natural cradle that welcomes with dew filled arms and petal laden paths. Tender, serene and visually spectacular.

If nature is a language, Dublin is a golden word.

Several escapades so randomly and generously spread out, you will wonder if you can ever absorb enough of the sights. From Glenda-lough – Glen of Two Lakes to the Powerscourt Gardens, nature is on a giving spree. You cannot process such bits of visuals thrown at you. You sure can be struck with awe!

Some trivia I picked up when around:

Guinness is the national drink of Ireland! (another trivia is that a mug of that dark thing can sway you nice!)

Potato is the national vegetable (if there is such a thing!). Being a vegetarian, I found it in anything I asked for.